Going outside of my comfort zone and painting plein air

Studio painting can be comfortable, predictable, and very controlled. I love my studio. I've found it to be a source of great pleasure over the years, creating works of art hour after hour, day after day. Most of my detailed and intricate works have been painted from my studio, as every aspect of the art is carefully thought out, planned and then eventually executed in a controlled and decisive manner.

The opposite can be said of plein air painting. Once outside, a sudden myriad of unpredictable variables begin to distract the artist, competing for attention, and affecting the work as it progresses. The light constantly changes, there are extremes in temperature, wind, rain and snow. Composing a painting also becomes a challenge, as the senses are overwhelmed with so much information.

In the comfort of the studio, there is less risk involved. Less chance of making a painting that fails to live up to expectations. Outside, anything goes. There is an energy in submersing yourself into the very environment you are painting that cannot be simulated when sitting inside the studio painting. The simulated lights of an indoor studio can never match the radiant and varied light that occurs from the sun entering the atmosphere, affecting the scene. The temperature changes, wind and environment have their affect on the artist, who transmits these experiences immediately into the painting, through the marks and colours alla prima.

I took a break from plein air for about two years now. Got comfortable making art inside the studio. Although I still love that process, I can't ignore the benefits of Plein air and the energy I experience each time I get outside. It took me about a month of telling myself that I needed to change before I finally opened the door to the outside world again. So these are my results of getting out there again, and painting on location. I hope you'll follow me along this journey :)

-John

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